Pulmonary drug delivery device

ABSTRACT

A nebulizer for delivering a drug to a patient includes an electronic control unit, a hand piece connected to the electronic control unit via a cable, and a cartridge detachably engaged with the hand piece. The electronic control unit includes a controller, a cartridge reader, a dosage storage element, and a display. The display preferably displays the drug name and the number of dosages remaining in the cartridge. The cartridge includes a head or nebulizer element for creating a fine mist or cloud of the drug in droplet form. The cartridge also includes a storage container containing a drug and a pump for pumping the drug to the nebulizer element. The cartridge also contains an information storage element for containing information regarding the drug and the drug delivery protocol for the patient. The information in the information storage element is transmitted to the electronic control unit when the cartridge is engaged with the hand piece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pulmonary drug deliverydevices. More specifically, the invention relates to a nebulizer systemfor delivering a drug-containing aerosol to the lungs. The inventionalso relates to smart drug cartridges that contain informationpertaining to the type of drug, the delivery protocol for the drug, andother patient specific information.

Drugs are increasingly being developed that are delivered to patientsvia inhalation. These drugs include various pharmaceutical compounds andmixtures directed to treat lung diseases such as asthma. Drugs that aredirected to non-respiratory system diseases can also be delivered to thepatient via inhalation. An example of this type of systemic drug is aninhaled form of insulin used to treat diabetes.

Most of these drugs require a precise unit dose delivery. If too littledrug is given, the therapeutic effect of the drug can be reduced or lostentirely. If too much drug is delivered, the patient may suffer fromtoxic effects of the drug or may overdose.

Control of unit dose delivery is particularly hard for drugs deliveredvia inhalation. In the case of a nebulizer or inhaler-type devices,patients frequently forget if they took their medication. Even if apatient remembers that he or she took their medication, they might notknow at what time their last inhalation was. This is problematic when aparticular treatment or drug requires a specified time interval betweensuccessive doses.

Another difficulty that has arisen with respect to conventionalinhalation devices relates to the preparation of the drugs. Sometimesone or more drugs are mixed with each other or a carrier prior todelivery. Albuterol, for example, typically requires that the drug(Albuterol) be mixed with a saline type solution. These mixtures can beprepared by the patient, or alternatively, by the patient's health careprovider. Unfortunately, there may be mistakes made in preparing thefinal drug formulation.

Still another difficulty relates to mistakes made as to what drug iscontained within a particular drug storage container. Consequently, thepatient or health care provider might mistakenly administer the wrongdrug. In yet another difficulty, the inhaled drug might have reached orexceeded the drug's expiration date. Unless the patient carefully readsthe expiration label, there is a chance the patient is inhaling a drugthat is expired. Another difficulty relates to patient compliance.Currently, drugs delivered via a nebulizer can take as long as ten tofifteen minutes to deliver the required dose. This long amount of timerequired to deliver each dose can reduce patient compliance.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can precisely control theunit dose delivery of an inhaled drug. The device can preferably monitorand assess various parameters such as when the last dose was delivered,the identification of the drug, the drug's expiration date, theconcentration of the drug, the drug delivery protocol, etc. A device isneeded that reduces the total time required to deliver an inhaled drugto a patient. Preferably, the device can be used at home. There also isa need for a drug cartridge that contains the drug as well asinformation relating to the drug and its intended delivery to thepatient. Preferably, the information is stored in the drug cartridge andcan be customized to a particular drug and/or patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, a nebulizer for delivering a drug toa patient includes an electronic control unit, a hand piece connected tothe electronic control unit, and a cartridge that is detachably engagedwith the hand piece. The cartridge includes a storage container forcontaining the drug. A pump is located on the cartridge and pumps thedrug to a nebulizer element. The cartridge also includes an informationstorage element. The information storage element contains information onthe drug contained within the cartridge as well as drug deliveryprotocol. When the cartridge is engaged with the hand piece, theinformation in the information storage element is transmitted to theelectronic control unit. Information is displayed on a display on theelectronic control unit.

In another aspect of the invention, the electronic control unit of thedevice includes a controller, a cartridge reader, and a dosage storageelement. The cartridge reader reads the information contained within theinformation storage element on the cartridge. The dosage storage elementcountdowns the remaining doses of the cartridge. The number of remainingdoses is displayed on the display.

In another aspect of the invention, the device includes datatransmission means for transmitting patient compliance: information toan output device.

It is an object of the invention to create a nebulizer device that canread pre-programmed information stored within a cartridge containing adrug. The information relates to the type of drug contained with thecartridge and the individual delivery protocol for the patient. Theinformation can be pre-programmed by the drug manufacturer or healthcare provider. The device preferably displays the remaining number ofdoses in the cartridge on a display. The device operates in accordancewith pre-preprogrammed set of instructions stored within the informationstored within the cartridge. It is also an object of the invention tohave a device that can transmit patient compliance information toexternal to an output device.

In still another aspect of the invention, a cartridge for containing adrug includes a drug storage container for storing the drug, a pumpdisposed in the cartridge for pumping drug from the storage container toa conduit, and a programmable information storage element disposed inthe cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the pulmonary delivery device according to oneembodiment of the invention, including the electronic control unit, thehand piece, and the cartridge.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the cartridge.

FIG. 3 illustrates the pulmonary delivery device according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pulmonary delivery device according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of the control unit.

FIG. 6 illustrates the pulmonary delivery device transmitting data to apatient compliance output device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the drug cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the drugcartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates the pulmonary drug delivery device 2. The device 2generally comprises an electronic control unit 4, a hand piece 50, and acartridge 70. The electronic control unit 4 includes a housing 5 andreceives power via a power cord 6. The power cord 6 is connected to apower source 8. The power source may be a source of A/C current, asshown for example in FIG. 1, or alternatively, the power source 8 canalso be a source of DC current. The device 2 can also include optionsfor both A/C and DC current use. If A/C current is used a transformer(not shown) is used to convert A/C to DC current.

The electronic control unit 4 includes a display 10 preferably on asurface thereof. The display 10 can be a LCD screen or the like which iscapable of displaying numbers and letters. Preferably the display 10includes a portion for displaying the date 12, the time 14, a countdownnumber 16 indicating the number of doses remaining in the cartridge 70,the drug name or identification 18 contained within the cartridge 70,and an alarm indicator 20. Other items can also be displayed such as theexpiration date of the drug within the cartridge 70, the dosage, theparticle size, and the like (not shown).

The electronic control unit 4 preferably includes a speaker 22 housedwithin the electronic control unit 4 that is used to produce a soundalarm when one or more conditions are met. For example, the speaker 22and the alarm indicator 20 might be triggered when the number ofremaining doses falls below a pre-set number. As another example, thespeaker 22 and alarm indicator might be triggered when the drugexpiration date is near or has been surpassed. These features arepreferably programmed into the electronic control unit 4 or cartridge70.

The device 2 also includes in the electronic control unit 4 an on/offswitch 24, a cancel switch 26, a prime pump switch 28, and a print/sendswitch 30. These switches 24, 26, 28, and 30 may take the form of abutton or the like on the electronic control unit 4. Programming buttons31 are also preferably provided on the electronic control unit 4. Theseprogramming buttons 31 can be used to change such things as the time anddate displayed on the display 10. Preferably, these programming buttons31 are recessed so they are not accidentally hit during use of thedevice 2.

Located in the electronic control unit 4 in the housing 5 is acommunications port 32. The communications port 32 can include a modemjack, a USB port, a serial port, or a parallel port commonly found inpersonal computers. The communications port might also include aninfrared LED or a radio frequency transmitter. The aforementioned areexamples of the data transmission means used to transmit data from thedevice 2 to an external location or device. A cable 22 is connected fromthe electronic control unit 4 to the hand piece 50. The cable 22includes one or more data transmission and power lines traveling betweenthe hand piece 50 and the electronic control unit 4.

The hand piece 50 preferably includes a housing 52 shaped to contain thecartridge 70. At an end proximal to the cable 22, the hand piece 50includes one or more electrical connectors 54 that are connected to thedata and power lines within the cable 22. The electrical connectors 54connect with corresponding electrical connectors (88, 90) on thecartridge 70. The electrical connectors 54 can include any number ofcommonly known components such as electrically conductive tabs, detents,projections, bumps, conductive springs, and the like. The housing 52preferably includes one or more holes 56 therein to provide air to passthrough during patient inhalation. The holes 56 might be eliminatedentirely, however, if there is sufficient room for air to pass betweenthe housing 52 and the cartridge 70.

Preferably, the hand piece 50 includes an inhalation sensor 58 thatdetects the onset of inhalation. The inhalation sensor 58 is connectedto a data line 60 that passes to an electrical connector 54 or the like.The inhalation sensor 58 reports the inhalation data to the controller150. Of course, the inhalation sensor 58 can instead be located withinthe cartridge 70.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the cartridge 70 includes a body portion 72.The body portion 72 is preferably shaped to closely fit within the handpiece 50. In this regard, a hand-in-glove type of arrangement is madebetween the cartridge 70 and the hand piece 50. The cartridge 70 can beremovably engaged with the hand piece 50. The cartridge 70 can includean optional mouthpiece portion 73. The mouthpiece 73 might bepermanently affixed to the cartridge 70, or alternatively, themouthpiece 73 might be detachable from the cartridge 70. The cartridge70 includes a drug storage container 74 that contains the drug 75. Thedrug storage container 74 acts a reservoir since the drug 75 containedwithin the container 74 is preferably in liquid form. Preferably, thecartridge 70 is disposable after use.

The cartridge 70 also includes an information storage element 76. Theinformation storage element 76 stores data relating to the drug 75within the cartridge 70 as well as information relating to the dosageand delivery of the drug 75, i.e., drug delivery protocol. Theinformation storage device 76 can include a programmable chip, such asthat shown in FIG. 1, or alternatively, the information storage element76 may include a radio frequency tag 130, as shown in FIG. 3, or a barcode 140, as shown in FIG. 4. The information storage element 76 mayalso comprise a magnetic strip. The information storage element 76 ispreferably programmable. Data such as the identification of the drug,the drug expiration date, the prescribed dosage of the drug, the minimumallowable time between doses, and drug delivery protocol, etc. can beprogrammed into the information storage element 76. The data can bepreprogrammed by the manufacturer, or alternatively, by a healthprofessional such as a doctor or pharmacist. The data stored within theinformation storage element 76 can be tailored to a particular drug 75as well as to the particular patient.

Still referring to FIG. 1, one or more data transmission lines 86 areused to communicate the data stored on the information storage element76 to one or more electrical connectors 88, 90 on the cartridge 70.These electrical connectors 88, 90 engage with corresponding electricalconnectors 54 in the hand piece 50. A pump 92 is located in or adjacentto the drug storage container 74. The pump 92 is preferably apiezoelectric-driven pump 92 that is powered via power line 84. Thepower line 84 terminates in an electrical connector 98 to providecommunication with the a electrical connector 54 in the hand piece 50that is coupled to a source of power.

The drug 75 is pumped from the drug storage container 74 into a conduit94. The conduit 94 provides a passageway for the drug 75 from the drugstorage container 74 to a nebulizer element 100. The nebulizer element100 creates a fine mist or cloud that includes small droplets of thedrug 75. By forming small droplets of the drug 75 by use of thenebulizer element 100, the drug 75 is able to penetrate deep within thelungs with minimal loss of the drug 75 from adhesion to the cartridge 70or to the back of the throat of the patient. The nebulizer element 100can include any number of known devices used to generate a mist or cloudof drug 75. For example, the nebulizer element 100 may include apiezoelectric vibratory element, an ultrasonic generator, a nozzle, apneumatic-based element and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,614 discloses an example of a preferred nebulizerelement 100. The '614 patent is incorporated by reference as if setforth fully herein. The nebulizer element 100 is an electrohydrodynamicnozzle 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the nozzle 110. Thenozzle 110 aims inside the cartridge 70 that delivers the liquid drug 75into the lumen of the cartridge 70. Additional nozzles 110 (not shown)can also be located on the cartridge 70. A discharge electrode 112 isalso located within the lumen of the cartridge 70. The nozzle 110 ispreferably a high voltage nozzle 110 that imparts a negative charge tothe drug 75 that is pumped out of the nozzle 110. The nozzle 110 ispreferably connected via a power line 114 to a source of high voltagedirect current via an electrical connector 116. The electrical connector116 engages with a power electrical connector 54 in the hand piece 50.The negative charge imparted to the drug 75 droplets counterbalances theeffects of surface tension, thereby permitting the formation ofextremely small drug 75 droplets. The discharge electrode 112 preferablyhas a positive charge that is formed by connecting the dischargeelectrode 112 to a DC high voltage source via a power line 115 andelectrical connector 118. The DC positive and negative voltages areproduced by conventional circuitry that is controlled preferably bycontroller 150. The discharge electrode 112, with its positive charge,ionizes adjacent gas molecules and neutralizes the negative charge on.the aerosolized drug 75. The discharge electrode 112 also tends to pullthe aerosol droplets away from the nozzle 110, thereby avoiding thebuildup of condensed aerosol droplets on the nozzle 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates a embodiment of the invention wherein the informationstorage element 76 is a radio frequency (RF) tag 130. The RF tag 130 isaffixed to the cartridge 70. A RF tag receiver 132 is affixed to thehand piece 50 and is used to pickup the information stored on the RF tag130 and send the data via data line 134 to an electrical connector 54.This information is in turn reported to the electronic control unit 4.Preferably, the RF tag 130 is programmable.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein theinformation storage element 76 is a bar code 140. The bar code 140 isaffixed to the cartridge 70. A bar code reader 142 is affixed to thehand piece 50 and is used to pickup the information stored on the barcode 140 and send the data via data line 144 to an electrical connector54. This information is in turn reported to the electronic control unit4. The bar code 140 is preferably programmable in the sense that themanufacturer or health care provider can affix a pre-programmed bar code140 onto the cartridge 70.

FIG. 5 illustrates the controller 150, the cartridge reader 152, and thedosage storage element 154. The controller 150 is preferably amicroprocessor that controls the operation of the device 2. Thecontroller 150 receives signals from the on/off switch 24, the cancelswitch 26, the prime pump switch 28, the print/send switch 30, and theprogram buttons 31 via respective signal lines. The inhalation sensor 58also inputs a signal via signal line 59 to the controller 150. Wheninhalation is detected, signals are output from the controller 150 viasignal line 156 to control the display 10 and the pump 92. The highvoltages for the nozzle 110 and the discharge electrode 112 are poweredvia power lines 160. The cartridge reader 152 receives and stores thedata from information storage element 76 transmitted via data lineswithin the cable 34. The cartridge reader 152 can comprise amicroprocessor, memory, or the like. The cartridge reader 152 preferablyreports the data contained within the information storage element 76 tothe controller 150. Information such as the name of the drug, theexpiration date, the dosage, the time between dosages, and the deliveryprotocol, etc. are stored within the electronic control unit 4.

The controller 150 is associated with a dosage storage element 154. Thedosage storage element 154 contains information pertaining to the numberof doses remaining for an individual cartridge 70. The dosage storageelement 154 is a non-volatile memory which can include a bubble memory,microprocessor based circuit, memory chip, or the like. Preferably, eachcartridge 70 has an individual unique cartridge identifier that isstored within the information storage element 76 and reported to thecartridge reader 152. The dosage storage element 154 preferably canassociate a particular cartridge 70 with the number of remaining doses.This can be done even though the device 2 is turned off or the cartridge70 is removed from the hand piece. When the inhalation sensor 58 detectsthe onset of inhalation, the controller starts the pump 92 to deliverthe drug 75 to the nebulizer element 100. Since the patient has taken adosage of the drug 75, the controller 150 reports this information tothe dosage element 154, which stores the new number of doses remaining.

The controller 150, the cartridge reader 152, and the dosage element 154can be individual units, as shown for example in FIG. 5, oralternatively, be incorporated into a single control unit as shown inoutline 170. Control signals are transmitted to the pump 92 via pumpcontrol line 158. Power to the controller 150 is delivered via powerline 162. A transmission line 164 transmits data to the communicationsdevice or communications port 32. The actual communication device,whether it is a modem, network card, RF transmitter, or the like, can bepart of the control unit 150, or alternatively, separate from thecontrol unit 150 and controlled via signals send via transmission line164.

During operation of the device 2, the patient or health care providerturns on the device 2 via the on/off button 24. At this point thecontroller 150 senses that there is no cartridge 70 in the hand piece50. The controller 150 sends a signal to the display 10 to display amessage or indicator that the device 2 is ready for loading. The patientor other person then loads a cartridge 70 into the hand piece 50. Thecartridge 70 is pushed into the housing 52 such that electricalconnections are made between the cartridge 70 and the electricalconnectors 54. Information stored within the information storage element76 is then read by the cartridge reader 152. The cartridge reader 152reads the unique identifier of the cartridge 70, the drug 75 name, thedosage information, the expiration date, the minimum time between doses,the drug delivery protocol, and any other information stored in theinformation storage element 76. The dosage storage element 154 is loadedwith information pertaining to the number or remaining doses. If thecartridge 70 has never been used before, then the dosage storage element154 is initialized with the total number of doses in the cartridge 70.If the cartridge 70 has already been used, the dosage storage element154 recalls the number of doses remaining through the use of the uniquecartridge identifier.

As an alternative to the unique cartridge identifier, the informationstorage element 76 located in the cartridge 70 can itself contain acountdown element to determine the number of doses remaining. In thiscase, the unique cartridge identifier may be eliminated entirely.

Once, loaded, the display preferably displays the number of dosesremaining, the drug name, the date, and the time. The dosage storageelement 154 also contains information indicating the last time thecartridge 70 was used. The dosage storage element 154 compares this timewith the minimum time between doses for the particular drug. If the timeinterval is too small, the controller 150 will not let the pump 92operate. Preferably, if the time interval is too small, the controller150 also signals the display 10 to issue an alarm 20. The speaker 22 mayalso notify the patient that not enough time has elapsed.

Once the container 70 is properly loaded and the minimum time betweendoses has elapsed, the drug can be delivered to the patient. The pump 92can be primed by depressing the prime pump switch 28. This might beneeded, for example, on the first Use of a new cartridge 70. Oninhalation, the inhalation sensor 58 signals the controller 150 to pumpthe drug 75 via the pump 92. The drug 75 delivered to the nebulizerelement 100 where the liquid is converted to a cloud or mist of dropletsfor inhalation. Inhalation of the drug 75 may occur over a rather shorttime frame, preferably under a minute or so. This is significantlyshorter than prior art nebulizers that can take around ten to fifteenminutes to deliver the drug to the patient. It should be understood,however, that a particular drug delivery protocol may require the drug75 to be delivered over a longer period of time. This information ispreferably stored in the information storage element 76 of the cartridge70.

In the embodiment with the nozzle 110, the controller 150 also controlsthe charge of the nozzle 110 and the charge on the discharge electrode112. Minute charged droplets are formed containing a negative charge.These droplets are then attracted to and neutralized by the dischargeelectrode 112. The neutralized droplets then pass out of the cartridge70 and into the patient's lungs.

An optional security feature can also be employed with the device 2. Forexample, each electronic control unit 2 may be initialized with a uniquepatient code. When the cartridges 70 are programmed by the manufactureror health care provider, the information storage element 76 is alsoprogrammed with this patient identification code. During loading of thecartridge 70, the device 2 compares the code from the cartridge 70 withthe code from the electronic control unit 4. If the patientidentification codes from the cartridge 70 and the electronic controlunit 2 do not match, then the device 2 will. not operate.

The present device can deliver any number of drugs 75 to a patient. Forexample, in addition to drugs 75 for the treatment of lung diseases suchas asthma, the device 2 can also deliver chemotherapeutics andchemopreventatives to prevent lung cancer. Other examples includeanti-infective agents used to treat infection of the lungs. The devicecan also be used to deliver morphine or insulin to a patient. The deviceis also useful for the delivery of DNA, proteins, and peptides.

The device 2, in another aspect of the invention, as seen in FIG. 6,transmits patient compliance information to a patient compliance outputdevice 180. The patient compliance output device 180 can include, forexample, a local printer, an offsite database accessible via a localarea network (LAN) or a global communications network such as theInternet, a home base station, or a personal computer and the like.

The communications port 32, depending on its configuration, can transmitdata to any number of patient compliance output devices 180. Forexample, a serial, parallel, or USB port may be connected via a cable toa local printer (not shown). A network card or a modem can be used totransmit data through a LAN or through the Internet. A RF transmitter orinfrared LED can be used to transmit data to a nearby base station.

The information that is transmitted can include such things as the time,date, time between dosages, dosage delivered, etc. for each inhalation.This information can be delivered after each use of the device 2, oralternatively, at a pre-set time. For example, the device 2 can transmitdata upon the switching of the print/send switch 30. Alternatively, thedevice 2 might transmit automatically at a pre-programmed time. Forinstance, the device 2 might be programmed to send data once a week oronce a month. This information is used by the patient and/or health careprovider to monitor patient compliance.

FIG. 7 illustrates a general schematic representation of a cartridge 70including a drug storage container 74 having a drug 75 therein. A pump92 is provided in the cartridge 70 to pump drug 75 into a conduit 94.The conduit 94 terminates to a head 102 which generates the mist orcloud of drug 75. The head 102, which can include the nebulizer element100 can be found in the cartridge 70 or elsewhere such as in a handpiece 50 or the like (not shown). The cartridge 70 also includes aninformation storage element 76 that stores data relating to the drug 75,information relating to delivery of the drug 75, or information relatingto the patient. The information storage element 76 is advantageouslyprogrammable. The information storage element 76 can include aprogrammable chip, RF transmitter, magnetic strip, bar code,or the like.The information or data stored in the information storage element 76 isread by reader which is preferably contained within a hand piece 50 orsimilar device.

The cartridge 70 is termed a “smart cartridge” in the sense thatinformation pertaining to the drug 75, the delivery of the drug 75,and/or patient information is stored within the cartridge 70. A devicewith a reading mechanism can then access this information and controldrug delivery 75 consistent with the data and/or instructions stored inthe cartridge 70.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the cartridge 70. In thisembodiment, the cartridge 70 includes a drug storage container 74containing the drug 75 and an information storage device 76. Theinformation storage device 76 is preferably programmable. A port 104 islocated in the drug storage container 74 and includes a hollowpassageway that is in fluidic communication with the drug storagecontainer 74. The port 104 can be a male-type port 104 as shown in FIG.8, or alternatively, the port 104 can be a female-type port 104. Duringoperation, the cartridge 70 is inserted into a device 105 wherein theport 104 engages with a corresponding port 106 in the device 105. Theport 106 is connected to a conduit 107. The conduit 107 then leads to apump 108 that delivers the drug 75 to a head 102 or nebulizer element100 (not shown in FIG. 8).

In another aspect of the invention, information such as the number ofdoses remaining, the date and time of the last dose, and drug deliveryprotocol information can be re-written and stored within the informationstorage element 76 in the cartridge 70. This feature is useful when apatient might have multiple electronic control units 4. For example, apatient might have a device 2 for home use and a separate device 2 atwork or at school. The patient might use the home device 2 in themorning and the non-home device 2 in the afternoon. The patient woulduse the same cartridge 70 for each device 2. By writing information tothe information storage element 76 on the cartridge 70, the cartridge 70can effectively be used on different devices 2. For example, if apatient tried to use the cartridge 70 on his or her device 2 at worksoon after using the same cartridge 70 at the home device 2, the device2 at work can recognize that not enough time has elapsed between doses.The work device 2 will not deliver the drug 75 until enough time haspassed. Similarly, if a patient used the tenth remaining dose at his orher home device 2 and then another dose later in the day on the samecartridge 70 with the work device 2, the number of remaining doses(eight) would be stored within the cartridge 70. When the cartridge 70is later used with the home device 2, the home device 2 reads that eightdoses are remaining the cartridge 70. In this embodiment the informationstorage element 76 has read-write capabilities. The information storageelement 76 can comprise a read write memory, and preferably,non-volatile memory which can include a memory chip, bubble memory, orthe like. The information storage element 76 can also include abi-directional RF tab, or read-writeable magnetic strip.

While embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, various modifications may be made without departing from thescope of the present invention. For example, the nebulizer element 100may be positioned external to the cartridge 70 such as in the hand piece50. In addition, the pump 92 might be placed external to the cartridge70. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except to thefollowing claims, and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pulmonary drug delivery device comprising: anelectronic control unit, said electronic control unit including: acontroller; a cartridge reader; a display; a hand piece connected tosaid electronic control unit via a cable; a cartridge having a lumentherethrough, the cartridge being detachably engaged with said handpiece, said cartridge including a drug storage container including adrug stored therein, an electrically chargeable nozzle and a dischargeelectrode disposed within the lumen of the cartridge, a pump for pumpingthe drug out of the electrically chargeable nozzle, and an informationstorage element disposed on the cartridge; wherein the controllercontrols the pump and the charge of the nozzle and the charge on thedischarge electrode in accordance with instructions stored in theinformation storage element.
 2. A pulmonary drug delivery deviceaccording to claim 1, said electronic control unit further comprising adosage storage element.
 3. A pulmonary drug delivery device according toclaim 2, said dosage storage element storing the number or remainingdoses for said cartridge.
 4. A pulmonary drug delivery device accordingto claim 3, said electronic control unit further comprising datatransmission means.
 5. A pulmonary drug delivery device according toclaim 1, said electronic control unit further comprising an alarm.
 6. Apulmonary drug delivery device according to claim 1, said hand piecefurther comprising an inhalation sensor.
 7. A pulmonary drug deliverydevice according to claim 2, the dosage storage element comprises amemory.
 8. A pulmonary drug delivery device according to claim 1,wherein the information storage element is programmable.
 9. A pulmonarydrug delivery device according to claim 8, the information storageelement comprises a programmable memory.
 10. A pulmonary drug deliverydevice according to claim 8, the information storage element comprisesan RF tag.
 11. A pulmonary drug delivery device according to claim 8,the information storage element comprises a bar code.
 12. A pulmonarydrug delivery device according to claim 8, wherein the informationstorage element also stores drug identification information.
 13. Apulmonary drug delivery device according to claim 8, wherein theinformation storage element also stores drug delivery protocol.
 14. Apulmonary drug delivery device according to claim 8, wherein theinformation storage element also stores the minimum time betweendosages.
 15. A pulmonary drug delivery device according to claim 1,wherein said cartridge contains a plurality of doses.
 16. A pulmonarydrug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein said display displaysthe number of remaining dosages.
 17. A pulmonary drug delivery devicefor delivering a drug to a patient comprising: an electronic controlunit, said electronic control unit including: a controller; a cartridgereader; a dosage storage element; a display; a hand piece connected tosaid electronic control unit via a cable; and a cartridge having a lumentherethrough, the cartridge being detachably engaged with said handpiece, said cartridge including a drug storage container including adrug stored therein, an electrically chargeable nozzle and a dischargeelectrode disposed within the lumen of the cartridge, a pump for pumpingthe drug out of the electrically chargeable nozzle, and an informationstorage element disposed on the cartridge; wherein the controllercontrols the pump and the charge of the nozzle and the charge on thedischarge electrode in accordance with instructions stored in theinformation storage element.
 18. A pulmonary drug delivery device fordelivering a drug to a patient comprising: an electronic control unit,said electronic control unit including: a controller; a cartridgereader; a dosage storage element; data transmission means fortransmitting patient compliance information to an output device; adisplay; a hand piece connected to said electronic control unit via acable; and a cartridge having a lumen therethrough, the cartridge beingdetachably engaged with said hand piece, said cartridge including a drugstorage container including a drug therein, an electrically chargeablenozzle and a discharge electrode disposed within the lumen of thecartridge, a pump for pumping the drug out of the electricallychargeable nozzle, and an information storage element disposed on thecartridge; wherein the controller controls the pump and the charge ofthe nozzle and the charge on the discharge electrode in accordance withinstructions stored in the information storage element.
 19. A pulmonarydrug delivery device according to claim 18, said dosage storage elementstoring the number of remaining doses for said container.
 20. Apulmonary drug delivery device according to claim 18, the dosage storageelement comprises a memory.
 21. A pulmonary drug delivery deviceaccording to claim 18, wherein the information storage element isprogrammable.
 22. A pulmonary drug delivery device according to claim21, the information storage element comprises a programmable memory. 23.A pulmonary drug delivery device according to claim 21, the informationstorage element comprises an RF tag.
 24. A pulmonary drug deliverydevice according to claim 21, the information storage element comprisesa bar code.
 25. A cartridge for containing a drug comprising: a lumenregion inside the cartridge; a drug storage container for storing thedrug; a pump disposed in the cartridge for pumping drug from the storagecontainer to a conduit; an electrically chargeable nozzle coupled to theconduit, the electrically chargeable nozzle disposed so as to aim insidethe lumen; a discharge electrode disposed within the lumen of thecartridge; a programmable information storage element disposed on thecartridge, the programmable information storage element containinginformation regarding operation of the pump and information regardingelectrical charges that are to be applied to the electrically chargeablenozzle and the discharge electrode using an external controller.
 26. Acartridge according to claim 25, the information storage elementcomprises a programmable memory.
 27. A cartridge according to claim 25,the information storage element comprises an RF tag.
 28. A cartridgeaccording to claim 25, the information storage element comprises a barcode.
 29. A method of delivering a drug to a patient comprising thesteps of: providing an electronic control unit having a hand piececonnected thereto; providing a cartridge containing a drug therein, thecartridge further including a lumen therethrough, a drug storagecontainer adapted to contain a drug therein, an electrically chargeablenozzle and a discharge electrode disposed within the lumen, a pump forpumping the drug out of the electrically chargeable nozzle, and aninformation storage element; engaging the cartridge with the hand piece;retrieving data stored in the information storage element andtransmitting the data to the electronic control unit, the data includinginstructions for pumping the drug and charging the electricallychargeable nozzle and the discharge electrode; and delivering the drugto the patient in accordance with the data transmitted to the electroniccontrol unit.